April 17, 2007
Food For Sorrow
In the first few weeks of this blog, I've tried to post something new just about every week day, if not more often.
Yesterday was obviously an exception.
Not only was the entire staff of The Roanoke Times scrambling to cover the chilling consequences of a mass shooting at Virginia Tech yesterday, but the tenor of the day was not at all one of warmth and comfort. Chatting about good eats and sharing recipes felt far too petty on such a somber day.
The truth about human beings, though, is that life-- and eating-- must go on after tragedy. And just as during holidays and wonderful celebrations, we must all feed our bodies during illness or tragedy, too.
Many of us do not personally know the victims of Monday's rampage; we are instead mourning the senseless loss of young lives and the fact that our friendly corner of the world may forever be remembered not for the positive things that happen here, but for this evil.
Still, we have all been or will be in a position of comforting friends who have lost a loved one or needing comfort ourselves at a terrible time of grieving.
For tips on how to feed the bereaved, I turned to a book called, "Food No Matter What: Stories and Recipes for Perfect Dining in an Imperfect World" by Laura Szabo-Cohen and Karin Kasdin.
In the chapter "Breaking Hearts and Breaking Bread," the authors advise:
1. Cook or deliver food to mourning families in disposable pans. Do not request that the container be returned. Death is not the time to be opposed to disposable materials.
2. If you absolutely have no disposable containers, put a sturdy piece of tape on the bottom of the dish or the handle of utensils and write your name on it in permanent marker to make it easier for families to return. Or make an outright gift of the kitchenware.
3. If you are simply dropping off food before or after a formal gathering, do just that and get out of their hair.
4. Think about including plastic or paper dishware and utensils with your dish so the family does not have to clean up dishes.
5. Offer to coordinate food contributions so the family does not end up with 15 of the same dishes.
6. Know the mourner's likes and dislikes, if possible. Do not take over a pot roast if they are vegetarians.
7. Do the dishes and wipe off counters. Be the last one to leave big formal gatherings in a mourner's home, and clean the kitchen, take out the garbage, package leftovers, etcetera on your way out the door.
The other day, I shared one of my favorite comfort foods, baked potato soup, without even knowing how necessary comfort foods would be this week. If you have a favorite that you would like to share, please put it in a comment on this blog.
Comments
[April 18, 2007 8:06 AM]
Connie AkersThe baked potato soup was really easy to make, and really, really good! I made it for supper last night, and the whole family loved it. My younger son even took some in his lunch today.
I'm always interested in easy dishes that guys like (my family is all male except for me). Please give us more!
[April 18, 2007 10:43 AM]
CarrieHi Lindsey, Here is one of my favorite comfort foods:
CHICKEN POT PIE
1 cup cooked chicken 10 ounces frozen mixed vegetables 1 small potato, cooked & diced 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons flour 2 cups chicken broth 1 cup Bisquick baking mix 1/2 cup milk 1 egg
Melt butter in a medium size saucepan. Add flour and cook over medium heat, about five minutes. Add chicken broth and heat until mixture just begins to boil. Reduce heat; add chicken, potato and mixed vegetables until heated through. Pour into a 2 quart casserole dish. Combine Bisquick, milk, and egg; pour over chicken mixture. Bake at 400 F. for 30 minutes or until golden.
Serving Size: 4
This is a really easy recipe. It's also very quick if you already have some cooked chicken readily available (perfect recipe for leftovers)!!
It is definitely and warm and fuzzy comfort food! I love the biscuit crust!
Thank you for your great blog. I really enjoy reading it! I'm originally from Roanoke and I read the paper online, it's a great way to catch up. Your blog and columns have been my favorite part lately!! (Don't tell my dad Cody Lowe, that!)
Sincerely, Carrie
[April 21, 2007 5:29 AM]
sherryi just love this artical and have a lot of deaths to with in my time seems to me that a few select mourners that are directly related gather at a loves ones house and most time stay over night which leaves the grievers hungry in the morning always an early morning call in the am to wake the house up. so in my experience breakfast was always the concern you need the energy to get through the day. with one experience we had someone give us bathroom tissue,paper plates, dish detergent,and paper towels that was very very handy.